Consolidation of member schedules with a project schedule in a network-based project schedule management system

ABSTRACT

A system is used for the creation, maintenance, and management of an overall project schedule, of individual project member schedules, and of project task assignments over a network. The system comprises three editors accessed through a web browser to perform the various tasks by members of a project. Information is passed between a web server and web browser and a database is used to maintain all information. The project manager can use a task assignment editor to assign tasks to individual project members. The project manager can use a project schedule editor to initially create the project schedule and to show the overall project schedule. After the project schedule is created, each project member can create their own member schedule using a member schedule editor, containing tasks related to the project schedule. After project members complete a task, the project member updates the member&#39;s schedule via the member schedule editor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______(Atty. Docket No. 49986-0579), entitled “Use Of Schedule Editors In ANetwork-Based Project Schedule Management System”, filed on the samedate herewith; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Atty. Docket No.49986-0581), entitled “Use of a Database In A Network-Based ProjectSchedule Management System”, filed on the same date herewith; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/881,250, entitled “Automated ManagementOf Development Project Files Over A Network”, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/059,694, entitled “Project Management Over ANetwork With Automated Task Schedule Update”, the content of all ofwhich are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposesas if fully disclosed herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to project management and, morespecifically, to the consolidation of individual member schedules with aproject schedule in a network-based development schedule managementsystem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Product development projects typically require significant effort tomonitor and manage. Furthermore, computer software development projectsare inherently difficult to manage. This difficulty is partly due to thelarge number of tasks and associated deliverables that comprise asoftware package and the vastness of paperwork and project filesassociated with these tasks and deliverables. Another contributingfactor are the complex interdependencies established between individualtasks and deliverables during the development cycle of a softwarepackage. Yet another contributing factor is the need to generate andmaintain a design specification associated with the software beingdeveloped.

Management of development projects typically includes organizing,maintaining, and controlling access to project documents, schedules, andthe like. Furthermore, there are often multiple development projectsoccurring concurrently within an enterprise organization, thussignificantly expanding the document management efforts. Historically,management of a master project schedule entails, among other tasks,manually entering data into a scheduling application, manually creatinglinks between schedules, and manually aggregating individual developers'task schedules into the master project schedule. These are cumbersomeand error-prone tasks, with little to no oversight and quality control.

A master project schedule is often in a state of flux, wherebymanagement solicits the developers for task statuses and relatedschedule updates. Often, the feedback provided to management by thedevelopers has little oversight and is not according to a rigid policy,procedure, or verification process. Thus, the actual status of a projectschedule is often difficult to ascertain since the progress ofindividual tasks are dictated by subjective, and often self-supporting,progress reports by those individuals that are assigned to the task.

Public and private networks provide a useful and simple communicationmechanism for members of a project team to obtain all the informationrelated to a project. Maintaining web pages associated with theschedules of a project and of project members allows members of aproject team to easily access the schedule to determine the status ofthe project. However, the tasks involved with creating and updatingschedules for individual members of a project team and the tasksinvolved with consolidating all the schedules of individual members intoa single project schedule are not trivial.

Previously, all the schedules were created manually using an HTMLeditor. First, the project manager would create the overall projectschedule showing the major project tasks. The project tasks would bedivided into subtasks and the subtasks would be informally assigned tomembers of a project team. Then, each member of a project team wouldcreate a member schedule, and there was no uniformity in the format ofthe individual member schedules. From all the members' schedules, theproject manager would aggregate all the subtasks schedules associatedwith the project schedule and update the overall project schedule.Furthermore, all schedules would maintain a history of all the schedulesof the tasks. With a small group, scheduling is tedious. With a largegroup, scheduling is complicated as well as tedious, especially theaggregation of all the subtask schedules with the project taskschedules.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for automating the assignmentof specific tasks to project members, and automating the tasks involvedwith creating individual and project schedules.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A system described herein can be used for the creation, maintenance, andmanagement of an overall project schedule, of individual project memberschedules, and of project task assignments over a network. According toone aspect of the invention, HTML editors are used to create and updatetables for the project schedule and project member schedules. Theschedules contain a list of project tasks (and detailed tasks orsubtasks of project tasks) with the expected start and end dates(planned dates) and the true start and end dates (actual dates). Thevalue of the schedule does not end when the project is completed becauseit contains important information that is used for estimating theschedules for tasks in future projects.

The system comprises three editors accessed through a web browser toperform the various tasks by members of a project. Information is passedbetween a web server and web browser and a database is used to maintainall information. The project manager can use a task assignment editor toassign tasks to individual project members. The project manager can usea project schedule editor to initially create the project schedule andto show the overall project schedule. After the project schedule iscreated, each project member can create their own member schedule usinga member schedule editor, containing tasks related to the projectschedule. After project members complete a task, the project memberupdates the member's schedule via the member schedule editor. After thecompletion of all the subtasks of a project task, the project managerneeds to consolidate all the members' schedules with the projectschedule in order to update the project schedule. The project scheduleneeds to be updated with new planned dates and actual dates from themembers' schedules, where the members' schedules contain a history ofthe changes in the schedule.

Managing and maintaining the project schedule requires consolidation, oraggregation, of all the members' schedules. The members' schedulescontain a history of the changes that have occurred in the overallproject schedule. The management and maintenance of the schedules istypically a tedious process, so the described system provides forautomatically consolidating the members' schedules with the projectschedule via a group of linked database tables.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1A is a screenshot of a task assignment editor, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a screenshot of a sample of a task assignment web page,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a screenshot of a project schedule editor, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a screenshot of a sample of a project schedule web page,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a screenshot of a individual schedule editor, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a screenshot of a sample of a member's schedule web page,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a screenshot of a login web page for a project member to logon to one of the editors, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operating environment in which anembodiment of the invention may be implemented;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a communications architecture in whichan embodiment of the invention may be implemented;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating interfaces between the client processorand the server processor of the system, according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a sequence diagram for a project member or manager tolog on to one of the editors using the login web page, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a sequence diagram for the project manager in asession with the task assignment editor, according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a sequence diagram for the project manager in asession with the project schedule editor, according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a sequence diagram for the project member in asession with the project member schedule editor, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a schema of database tables used to store and managetask assignment and task schedule information for projects and projectmembers, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the use of the system when theproject schedule is initially set up, according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example use of the memberschedule editor by a project member to modify the existing schedule,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15A is a screenshot illustrating a member schedule editor in whichsome of the schedules of the tasks were modified, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15B is a screenshot illustrating the member schedule editor thatresults from the “Update” being selected after the modifications in FIG.15A, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a process of updating upper leveltasks with the lower level tasks, according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a process of aggregating the projecttask schedule with the subtasks assigned to various project members,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 is a screenshot illustrating sample entries in the DefaultTaskstable, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 is a screenshot illustrating sample entries in the ProjectTeamtable, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a screenshot illustrating a sample task assignment editorsession, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 21 is a screenshot illustrating information that is stored in theTaskAssignment table when the member selects the “Finish” button of thetask assignment editor, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a screenshot illustrating a web page created after a taskassignment editor session, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a screenshot illustrating a sample project schedule editorsession, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 24 is a screenshot illustrating information that is stored in theTopLevelProjectTask table when the member selects the “Finish” button ofthe project schedule editor, according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 25 is a screenshot illustrating information that is stored in theTaskAssignment table when the member selects the “Finish” button of theproject schedule editor, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 26 is a screenshot illustrating a web page created after a projectschedule editor session, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 27 is a screenshot illustrating a sample member schedule editorsession for a project member, according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 28 is a screenshot illustrating a result of the “Update” buttonbeing selected, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 29 is a screenshot illustrating information that is updated in theTaskAssignment table when the member selects the “Finish” button of themember schedule editor, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 30 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theMemberTasks table when the member selects the “Finish” button of themember schedule editor, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 31 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theLevel1MemberTask table when the member selects the “Finish” button ofthe member schedule editor, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 32 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theLevel2MemberTask table when the member selects the “Finish” button ofthe member schedule editor, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 33 is a screenshot illustrating a web page created after a memberschedule editor session, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 34 is a screenshot illustrating a sample member schedule editorsession for the project member manager, according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 35 is a screenshot illustrating a result of the “Update” buttonbeing selected, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 36 is a screenshot illustrating information that is updated in theTaskAssignment table when the member selects the “Finish” button of themember schedule editor, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 37 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theMemberTasks table when the member selects the “Finish” button of themember schedule editor, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 38 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theLevel1MemberTask table when the member selects the “Finish” button ofthe member schedule editor, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 39 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theLevel2MemberTask table when the member selects the “Finish” button ofthe member schedule editor, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 40 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theLevel3MemberTask table when the member selects the “Finish” button ofthe member schedule editor, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 41 is a screenshot illustrating a web page created after manager'smember schedule editor session, according to an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 42 is a screenshot illustrating entries in the ProjectTeam tableafter two member schedule editor sessions, according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 43 is a screenshot illustrating a sample member schedule editorsession with the project member manager, according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 44 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theLevel1MemberTask table when the member selects the “Finish” button ofthe member schedule editor, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 45 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theLevel2MemberTask table when the member selects the “Finish” button ofthe member schedule editor, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 46 is a screenshot illustrating a web page created after amanager's member schedule editor session, according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 47 is a screenshot illustrating a sample of a session with theproject schedule editor, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 48 is a screenshot illustrating a project schedule editorredisplayed after the member selects the “Consolidate” button, accordingto an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 49 is a screenshot illustrating information that is stored in theTopLevelProjectTask table when the member selects the “Consolidate” and“Finish” buttons of the project schedule editor, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 50 is a screenshot illustrating a web page created after a projectschedule editor session, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 51 is a flowchart illustrating behavior of the system as theproject manager assigns tasks to a project member and sets the schedulefor project tasks, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 52 is a flowchart illustrating behavior of the system as theproject members set their own schedule for tasks, according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 53 is a flowchart illustrating behavior of the system as theproject manager consolidates members' schedules with the projectschedule, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 54 is a flowchart illustrating a process of assigning task IDs totasks of a project member at various levels, according to an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 55 is a screenshot illustrating the organization of taskinformation in the member schedule editor, according to an embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 56 is a screenshot illustrating an example member schedule editorshowing the various components and the index assigned to each row,according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 57 is a flowchart illustrating how the index is created for eachrow of a task whether the editor is displayed the first time or newtasks at any level are added in the editor, according to an embodimentof the invention; and

FIG. 58 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system upon whichembodiments of the invention can be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Techniques for consolidating individual member schedules with a projectschedule in a network-based project schedule management system aredescribed. The techniques are described herein primarily in reference toa software development project, but those skilled in the art shouldrecognize that the benefits of the invention are also available whenapplying the techniques to other development projects. In the followingdescription, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific detailsare set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of thepresent invention. It will be apparent, however, that the presentinvention may be practiced without these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagramform in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

Task Assignment Editor

FIG. 1A is a screenshot of a task assignment editor, according to anembodiment of the invention. The task assignment editor 102 assistsusers in creating the project tasks that are to be completed in aproject. With some organizations, there are default project tasks thatare common to all projects that will be performed in association withthe organization. Associated with the project tasks are subtasks whichare assigned to project members. Typically, a project manager sets andassigns tasks to project members. The project manager can use this taskassignment editor 102 to set up the project tasks for a project, createthe subtasks for each project task, and assign the subtasks to themembers. Information about the task assignment is stored and maintainedin the task assignment editor 102 while the project manager is addingand assigning tasks. Upon the manager completing a session with the taskassignment editor 102, the task assignment information is passed to,stored in, and maintained in a database.

In response to completion of a task assignment session, such as inresponse to a user selecting the “Finish” button on the task assignmenteditor 102 of FIG. 1A, a task assignment web page 104 is automaticallycreated, at the web server, for displaying the tasks that are assignedto various project members. FIG. 1B is a screenshot of a sample of atask assignment web page, according to an embodiment of the invention.Task and task assignment information entered and edited via the taskassignment editor 102 is displayed in a form in a web page whendisplayed in a web browser. All the tasks and the assignment of tasksare stored within one or more database tables, where each row preferablycorresponds to a task, and displayed in the task assignment editor 102and the task assignment web page 104.

According to one embodiment, the task assignment editor 102 (FIG. 1A)includes buttons (e.g., Add Details, Add Rows Above, Add Rows Below,Delete, and Finish) usable to perform various operations. The “Finish”button completes the editor session and submits the task assignmentinformation to be stored and maintained in the database. The otherbuttons perform a respective operation on a task that must be selectedby selecting the checkbox in the row corresponding to the task. An “AddDetails” button adds rows beneath a project task so the manager can addand assign subtasks to project members. “Add Rows Above” and “Add RowsBelow” buttons add rows above and below the row corresponding to theselected task (either project task or subtask) so the manager can addmore project tasks or add and assign more subtasks. The number of rowsadded is set by a “number of rows” menu selection that is next to the“Add Rows Below” button. The “Delete” button deletes the selected task,and removes a project task from the project or removes the assignment ofsubtasks to a project member. The task assignment editor 102 and taskassignment web page 104 are described in greater detail elsewhereherein.

Project Schedule Editor

FIG. 2A is a screenshot of a project schedule editor, according to anembodiment of the invention. The project schedule editor 202 is used toset the schedule for the project tasks that are created in the taskassignment editor 102 (FIG. 1A). A project task may be created andscheduled in the project schedule editor 202. However, in oneembodiment, subtasks cannot be added to the project tasks to assign themto project members using the project schedule editor 202. Most likely,the project manager will use the project schedule editor 202 after thetask assignment editor 102. The manager can use the project scheduleeditor 202 to set the initial project schedule for the major projecttasks added in the task assignment editor 102. Information about thescheduling of project tasks is stored and maintained in the projectschedule editor 202 while the project manager is adding and schedulingtasks. Upon the manager completing a project schedule editor session,the schedule information for the project tasks is passed, stored, andmaintained in the database.

In response to completion of a project schedule session, such as inresponse to a user selecting the “Finish” button on the project scheduleeditor 202 of FIG. 2A, a project schedule web page 204 is automaticallycreated, at the web server, for displaying a table for the projectschedule. If the individual project members' schedules are createdand/or updated for the project subtasks, the project schedule editor 202displays each project task schedule along with all the subtaskschedules. The project schedule editor 202 shows the subtasks with theproject member to whom it was assigned. By completing the editor sessionor by selecting “Consolidate” on the project schedule editor 202 of FIG.2A, all the subtask schedules for each project task are automaticallyconsolidated or aggregated to update the schedule for the project task,and the project task schedule is updated in the database.

FIG. 2B is a screenshot of a sample of a project schedule web page,according to an embodiment of the invention. The project schedule webpage 204 is created for displaying the schedule of the project tasks andits subtasks along with the member to whom a task or subtask isassigned. The project schedule web page 204 shows all the previous,i.e., obsolete, schedules (e.g., with strikethrough of previous dates)of each project task and subtask so that the project team can see thechanges that occur in the schedule of a task. Project scheduleinformation entered and edited via the project schedule editor 202 isdisplayed in a form in a web page when displayed in a web browser. Allthe project tasks' schedules and the subtasks' schedules are storedwithin one or more database tables, where each row preferablycorresponds to a task, and displayed in the project schedule editor 202and the project schedule web page 204.

According to one embodiment, the project schedule editor 202 (FIG. 2A)includes buttons buttons (Add Rows Above, Add Rows Below, Delete,Consolidate, and Finish) which perform various operations. The “Finish”and “Consolidate” buttons complete the project schedule editor sessionand submit the project task schedule information to be stored andmaintained in the database. The “Consolidate” button causes the members'schedules to be consolidated with the project schedule so that theproject schedule is updated in the database. The “Consolidate” buttoncauses the project schedule editor to be redisplayed in the projectschedule web page with updated task schedules. The other buttons performa respective operation on a task that is selected by selecting thecheckbox in the row corresponding to the task. The operations can onlybe performed on project tasks and not the subtasks which are assigned tomembers. “Add Rows Above” and “Add Rows Below” buttons add rows aboveand below the row corresponding to the selected project so the managercan add more project tasks and set the schedules for the tasks. Thenumber of rows added is set by the “number of rows” menu selection thatis next to the “Add Rows Below” button. The “Delete” button deletes theselected project task. The project schedule editor 202 and the projectschedule web page 204 are described in greater detail elsewhere herein.

Member Schedule Editor

FIG. 3A is a screenshot of a member schedule editor, according to anembodiment of the invention. The member schedule editor 302 (alsoreferred to as “individual schedule editor”) is used to create aschedule for an individual project member. According to one embodiment,the member schedule editor 302 displays only uncompleted tasks if themember schedule was previously created. The tasks of a member can beproject subtasks and/or tasks unrelated to the project. The member canset the schedule, change the schedule, and update the results for a taskvia the member schedule editor 302. Each of the tasks of a member can bebroken down into lower level tasks to schedule the minute details of thetask. The addition or modification of lower level tasks may affect theschedule of the upper level task. Therefore, the upper level tasksschedules are updated when the “Update” button is selected. Informationabout the scheduling of tasks is stored and maintained in the memberschedule editor 302 while the member is adding or modifying taskschedules. Upon a member finishing an member schedule editor 302session, the task schedule information is passed, stored, and maintainedin the database. FIG. 3A shows the assigned tasks in the drop down list.

In response to completion of a member schedule session, such as inresponse to a user selecting the “Finish” button on the member scheduleeditor 302 of FIG. 3A, an member schedule web page 304 (labeled “TaskSchedule” in the screen shot of FIG. 3B) is automatically created, atthe web server, for displaying a table for the member schedule. FIG. 3Bis a screenshot of a sample of a member's schedule web page, accordingto an embodiment of the invention. Individual schedule informationentered and edited via the member schedule editor 302 is displayed in aform in a web page when displayed in a web browser. All the tasks'schedules are displayed within a table where each row corresponds to atask. The member schedule web page 304 shows the previous schedules(e.g., with strikethrough of previous dates) of each project task andsubtask so that the project team can see the changes that occur in theschedule of a task.

In member schedule editor 302, buttons (Add Details, Add Rows At Bottom,Add Rows Above, Add Rows Below, Delete, Update, and Finish) arepositioned near the table, which are used to perform various respectiveoperations. The “Finish” button completes the member schedule editorsession and submits the task schedule information to be stored andmaintained in the database. Except for the “Update” button and the “AddRows At Bottom” button, the other buttons perform an operation on a taskthat is selected by selecting the checkbox in the row corresponding tothe task. The “Add Details” button adds rows beneath a task so themember can add subtasks (a task one level lower) to a task to give moredetails of the task. “Add Rows Above” and “Add Rows Below” buttons addrows above and below the row corresponding to the selected task so themember can add more tasks to the schedule at the same level. The numberof rows added is set by the “number of rows” menu selection that is nextto the “Add Rows Below” button. The “Delete” button deletes the selectedtask. The “Delete” button also removes a task, and all lower level tasksassociated with the task, from the member's schedule. The “Add Rows AtBottom” button adds one or more highest level rows to the bottom of theschedule where the number of rows added is set in the “number of rows”menu selection. The “Update” button updates all the upper level taskschedules with the lower level task schedules and updates the display ofthe member schedule editor 302 to show the new dates. The memberschedule editor 302 and the member schedule web page 304 are describedin greater detail elsewhere herein.

The schedule information for a task includes the plan start and enddates and the actual start and end dates. The plan and actual dates canbe set and modified for tasks in the member schedule editor 302.However, only the plan dates can be set for the project tasks in theproject schedule editor 202 (FIG. 2A) when the task is scheduled for thefirst time. The plan dates are automatically updated and the actualdates are automatically set based on the information in the members'schedule for the plan and actual dates of the project subtask, whenconsolidated. Information in the database is used to update the actualdates of the project task when the project manager either completes aproject editor session or via the “Consolidate” button of the projectschedule editor 202.

FIG. 4 is a screenshot of a login web page for a project member to logon to one of the editors (task assignment, project schedule, memberschedule), according to an embodiment of the invention. The memberenters the project number, member name, and selects the appropriateeditor, and then submits the information to access the editor. Theproject schedule management system validates the input and determines ifthe member is a valid member of the project and has an access right forthe selected editor. If not, the member will be denied access to theeditor. For tighter security, the login web page and editors can occurover secure HTTP (e.g., HTTPS) and the login page can require a passwordbefore logging in.

Project Schedule Management System

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operating environment in which anembodiment of the invention may be implemented. The illustratedoperating environment is illustrative of an overall system configurationfor the project schedule management system described herein. The exampleoperating environment comprises a plurality of workstations, one or moreweb servers, and one or more associated databases, which are allconnected directly or indirectly to a software development network forcommunication.

Generally, web servers 507 and 530 comprise the resources for thedisplay and management of the editors. The web servers 507, 530 interactwith databases 506, 536, respectively, to store, maintain, and managetask assignment and task schedule information, e.g., data 508, 538. Thedepiction of two web servers and two databases is for purposes ofexample. Thus, the number of web servers and databases used in a projectschedule management system as described herein may vary fromimplementation to implementation. Web browsers on computer workstations501, 502 access the resources on the web servers 507, 530 to display theeditors. Project members or managers can access the editors over thenetwork 500 (LAN or WAN). The project management system can be used tomanage projects at different levels within an organization, e.g., atproject, department, division, and organization levels.

Workstations 501, 502 are typically computer systems configured asillustrated by the computer system 5800 of FIG. 58, with one or morebrowsers, and are utilized, for example, by the engineers/developers tocomplete tasks associated with a product development project. Pertinentnon-limiting examples of such tasks include initiating projects,preparing and maintaining task schedules, designing softwarearchitecture, creating specifications, creating software code,implementing and testing software code, inspecting various taskproducts, etc. In addition, project managers utilize workstations 501,502 for accessing information to review and manage the progress of theproject. The developers and managers transmit communications through thenetwork 500 to the other connected components, e.g., web servers 507,530; databases 506, 536; and handheld device 520 and laptop 522, viaaccess point(s) 524.

Web servers 507, 530 depict a typical web server, which is a combinationof computer hardware and software that, using the appropriate protocols(e.g., Hypertext Transfer Protocol [HTTP] and Transmission ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol [TCP/IP]), serves the files that form webpages (e.g., Hypertext Markup Language [HTML] or Extensible MarkupLanguage [XML] files), to users, such as developers or managers at aworkstation 501, 502. In general, the majority of information exchangedand managed during the development project life cycle is served by theweb servers 507, 530 over the network 500. Furthermore, aspects of thetechniques described herein may be implemented and executed on the webservers 507, 530, although practice of the invention is not limited tosuch an implementation. The techniques could also be implemented on anyother processing system, such as workstations 501, 502 or a similarlyconfigured computer system as illustrated in FIG. 58.

Databases 508, 538 depict typical databases for storing data 508, 538related to the development project, thus providing access to theinformation by authorized individuals at workstations 501, 502, throughqueries transmitted over the network 500. The type of data stored ondatabases 507, 530 is effectively limitless, wherein non-limitingexamples include project initiation forms, member and project taskschedules, specifications, software code, inspection reports, web pagefiles, and document directories and indexes.

Network 500 depicts a conventional network, e.g., a packet-switchednetwork, for facilitating the exchange of information between and amongvarious connected components, such as workstations 501,502, web servers507, 530, and databases 508, 538. The network 500 may be a Local AreaNetwork (LAN), such as a conventional Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, a tokenring, or a wireless LAN such as specified in 802.11a and 802.11b(developed by a working group of the Institute of Electrical andElectronics Engineers [IEEE]), which may be implemented within anenterprise. In addition, network 500 may also be a Wide Area Network(WAN), such as the Internet, for facilitating communication with remoteusers through a Virtual Private Network (VPN), or the network 500 mayrepresent a combination of a LAN and a WAN. In addition, network 500 canbe formed using a variety of different mediums, including but notlimited electrical wire or cable, optical, or wireless connections.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a communications architecture in whichan embodiment of the invention may be implemented, including softwarecomponents of the system. The client processor 602 corresponds to a webbrowser and the server processor 604 corresponds to a web server, suchas web servers 507 and 530 (FIG. 5). A project member or managerinteracts with the client processor 602 through a user interface 601.The client processor 602 manages and maintains the login web page (FIG.4) and the various editor web pages (FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A). The clientprocessor 602 handles all events that occur in these web pages.According to one embodiment, the client processor 602 interacts with theserver processor 604 through the HTTP protocol.

The server processor 604 provides information to the client processor602 to display the login web page (FIG. 4) and editor web pages (FIGS.1A, 2A, 3A). The server processor 604 also processes the information inthe login and editor web pages when the client processor 602 submits theinformation in these pages. The database 606 is a repository of projectand task scheduling information. The server processor 604 interacts withthe database 606 to obtain, add, or update information in the databases.According to one implementation, the server processor 604 interacts withthe database 606. However, other databases and protocols can be used.

Client Processor-Server Processor Interfaces

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating interfaces between the client processorand the server processor of the system, according to an embodiment ofthe invention. The HTTP GET requests provide for the client processor602 obtaining the home, login (FIG. 4), project schedule editor (FIG.2A), member schedule (FIG. 3A), and assignment (FIG. 1A) web pages fromthe server processor 604. The HTTP POST requests provide for the clientprocessor 602 submitting information entered in the login (FIG. 4) andeditor web pages (FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A) to the server processor 604 forprocessing. The applicable HTTP GET and HTTP POST requests are describedin greater detail hereafter.

HTTP GET Project/Dept/Division Home Page requests cause the serverprocessor 604 to return to the client processor 602 a project home pageassociated with a department or division, respectively. The home pagecontains links (e.g., hyperlinks) for linking to and viewing therespective web page for the schedules, task assignment, and login to theeditors.

HTTP GET current project directory/schedule.htm requests cause theserver processor 604 to return to the client processor 602 a web pagecontaining the project schedule for a current project, an example ofwhich is depicted in FIG. 2B.

HTTP GET current project directory/assignment.htm requests cause theserver processor 604 to return to the client processor 602 a web pagecontaining the task assignments of project tasks for the currentproject, an example of which is depicted in FIG. 1B.

HTTP GET project member directory/schedule.htm requests causes theserver processor 604 to return to the client processor 602 a web pagecontaining a project member's schedule for the current project, anexample of which is depicted in FIG. 3B.

HTTP GET login.htm requests cause the server processor 604 to return tothe client processor 602 a web page that allows a project member ormanager to log on to one of the editors (project schedule, memberschedule, task assignment). The member or manager enters informationabout the project, member name, and editor session type. FIG. 4 depictsa web page for logging into to one of the editors.

HTTP GET TaskAssignEditor.htm requests cause the server processor 604 toreturn to the client processor 602 a web page for the task assignmenteditor, which is used to assign tasks to the project members for thecurrent project. A project manager requires access privileges to assigntasks to the project members before the server processor 604 returns thetask assignment web page. This privilege is verified when the managersubmits the information in the login web page (FIG. 4). According to oneembodiment, TaskAssignEditor.htm includes Javascripts to display,manage, and handle events in the task assignment editor. According toone embodiment, TaskAssignEditor.htm includes PHP scripts to obtaininformation from the databases 506, 536 and pass the information to theJavascripts so the information is displayed in the task assignmenteditor, an example of which is depicted in FIG. 1A.

HTTP GET ProjScheduleEditor.htm requests cause the server processor 604to return to the client processor 602 a web page for the projectschedule editor, which is used to create or update the project schedulefor the current project. A project manager must have access privilegesto create the project schedule before the server processor 604 returnsthe project schedule editor. This privilege is verified when the managersubmits the information in the login web page (FIG. 4). According to oneembodiment, ProjScheduleEditor.htm includes Javascripts to display,manage, and handle events in the project schedule editor. According toone embodiment, ProjScheduleEditor.htm includes PHP scripts to obtaininformation from the databases 506, 536 and pass the information to theJavascripts so the information is displayed in the project scheduleeditor, an example of which is depicted in FIG. 2A.

HTTP GET IndivScheduleEditor.htm requests cause the server processor 604to return to the client processor 602 a web page for the member scheduleeditor, which is used to create or update a project member's schedulefor the current project. According to one embodiment, the scheduleeditor displays only uncompleted tasks if the project member's schedulehas been previously created. A project member must have privileges tocreate or edit the schedule before the server processor 604 returns thisweb page. This privilege is verified when the member submits theinformation in the login web page (FIG. 4). According to one embodiment,IndivScheduleEditor.htm includes Javascripts to display, manage, andhandle events in the project member's schedule editor. According to oneembodiment, IndivScheduleEditor.htm includes PHP scripts to obtaininformation from the databases 506, 536 and pass the information to theJavascripts so the information is displayed in the member scheduleeditor, an example of which is depicted in FIG. 3A.

HTTP POST login.php interface allow the client processor 602 to accessand display the various editors (project schedule, member schedule, taskassignment). This interface is called when the “Submit” button isselected from the web page corresponding to login.htm. The informationentered in login.htm is passed to login.php in the server processor 604.The login.php uses the information to validate the member for theproject, and to determine if the member has access privileges to therequested editor. If the information is invalid or the member does nothave access privilege to the editor, then login.php returns a message tothe client processor 602 that the project member cannot access therequested editor. Otherwise, login.php returns the web pagecorresponding to one of the editors, i.e., the web browser is redirectedto the web page corresponding to the requested editor.

HTTP POST PostTaskAssign.php allows the client processor 602 to submitall the information entered in the task assignment editor (FIG. 1A) tothe server processor 604. This interface is called when the “Finish”button is selected from the web page corresponding toTaskAssignEditor.htm. The information entered in the editor ofTaskAssignEditor.htm is passed to PostTaskAssign.php in the serverprocessor 604. PostTaskAssign.php adds and updates task assignmentinformation in the appropriate database 506, 536. An appropriate messageis displayed if any of the information entered is invalid or if theprocess fails to access or query the appropriate database.PostTaskAssign.php also creates the task assignment web page, an exampleof which is depicted in FIG. 1B.

HTTP POST PostProjSchedule.php allows the client processor 602 to submitall the information entered in the project schedule editor (FIG. 2A) tothe server processor 604. This interface is called when the “Finish”button is selected from the web page corresponding toProjScheduleEditor.htm. The information entered in the editor ofProjScheduleEditor.htm is passed to PostProjSchedule.php in the serverprocessor 604. PostProjSchedule.php adds and updates task scheduleinformation in the appropriate database 506, 536. An appropriate messageis displayed if any of the information entered is invalid or if theprocess fails to access or query the appropriate database.PostProjSchedule.php also creates the project schedule web page, anexample of which is depicted in FIG. 2B.

HTTP POST PostIndivSchedule.php allows the client processor 602 tosubmit all the information entered in the project member's scheduleeditor (FIG. 3A) to the server processor 604. This interface is calledwhen the “Finish” button is selected from the web page corresponding toIndivScheduleEditor.htm. The information entered in the editor ofIndivScheduleEditor.htm is passed to PostIndivSchedule.php in the serverprocessor 604. PostIndivSchedule.php adds and updates task scheduleinformation in the appropriate database 506, 536. An appropriate messageis displayed if any of the information entered is invalid or if theprocess fails to access or query the database. PostIndivSchedule.phpalso creates the member's schedule web page, an example of which isdepicted in FIG. 3B.

The web pages for the various editors (TaskAssignEditor.htm,ProjScheduleEditor.htm, and IndivScheduleEditor.htm) include files thatcontain Javascript or PHP script, according to one non-limitingembodiment. The scripting languages used to perform the variousfunctions described herein may vary from implementation toimplementation. When a web browser (e.g., client processor 602) requeststhe web page of an editor, the editor web page and all the filescorresponding to Javascript are passed to the web browser, whereby theweb browser processes the Javascript. However, the files for the PHPscript are not passed to the web browser. The PHP script are processedin the web server, such as web servers 507, 530 of FIG. 5, where onlywhat the PHP script writes onto the web page is passed to the webbrowser.

FIG. 8 illustrates a sequence diagram for a project member or manager tolog on to one of the editors using the login web page, according to anembodiment of the invention. The diagram shows the information passedbetween the components of the system before the editor is displayed tothe member or manager. Processing occurs within the client processor 602to handle all the events that occur on the login web page (FIG. 4).Processing occurs within the server processor 604 to validate theinformation entered in the login page and to verify the access privilegeof the member for the editor. The server processor 604 obtainsinformation from the appropriate database 506 or 536 for theverification of access privileges. Project members or managers performthis process before getting into any of the editors whose sequences aredescribed in FIGS. 9-11.

FIG. 9 illustrates a sequence diagram for the project manager in asession with the task assignment editor, according to an embodiment ofthe invention. When the client processor 602 requestsTaskAssignEditor.htm, the file TaskAssignEditor.htm and all the includedfiles containing Javascript (shown with .js extension) are passed fromthe server processor 604 to the client processor 602. The included filescontaining PHP script (shown with .php extension) are processed in theserver processor 604. The PHP script obtains task assignment informationfrom the appropriate database 506 or 536 and writes Javascript into theweb page of TaskAssignEditor.htm, in order to pass the information tothe client processor 602. The client processor 602 processes theJavascript in all the files it receives, in order to display thecorresponding task assignment editor. All interactions between theproject manager and the task assignment editor are handled by theJavascript to manage, maintain, and update the task assignment editor.When the project manager finishes the session (e.g., selects “Finish”),all task assignment information in the task assignment editor is passedfrom the client processor 602 to the server processor 604 through theinterface PostTaskAssign.php. The server processor 604 processes theinformation by adding or updating the information in the appropriatedatabase. Using the task assignment information in the database, theserver processor 604 automatically creates a web page for the projecttask assignment, an example of which is depicted in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 10 illustrates a sequence diagram for the project manager in asession with the project schedule editor, according to an embodiment ofthe invention. When the client processor 602 requestsProjScheduleEditor.htm, the file ProjScheduleEditor.htm and all theincluded files containing Javascript are passed from the serverprocessor 604 to the client processor 602. The included files containingPHP script are processed in the server processor 604. The PHP scriptobtains project task schedule information from the appropriate databaseand writes Javascript into the web page of ProjScheduleEditor.htm, inorder to pass the information to the client processor 602. The clientprocessor 602 processes the Javascript in the files it receives, inorder to display the project schedule editor. All interactions betweenthe project manager and the project schedule editor are handled by theJavascript, in order to manage, maintain, and update the editor. Whenthe manager finishes the session (e.g., selects “Finish”), all projecttask schedule information in the project schedule editor is passed fromthe client processor 602 to the server processor 604 through theinterface PostProjSchedule.php. The server processor 604 processes theinformation by adding or updating the information in the appropriatedatabase. The server processor 604 also automatically aggregates theproject members' schedules with the project schedule and adds or updatesthe project schedule in the database. Using the project task scheduleinformation in the database, the server processor 604 automaticallycreates a web page for the project schedule, an example of which isdepicted in FIG. 2B.

The behavior of the system in response to a selection of the“Consolidate” button is the same as for a selection of the “Finish”button. Both buttons cause (a) the addition and updating of theappropriate database with information from the project schedule editor,(b) the aggregation of the members' individual schedules with theproject schedule, (c) the addition and updating of the project schedulein the database, and (d) the creation of the project schedule web page.Further, “Consolidate” redisplays the project schedule editor with theupdated project schedule by requesting ProjScheduleEditor.htm again.

FIG. 11 illustrates a sequence diagram for the project member in asession with the project member schedule editor (i.e., member scheduleeditor), according to an embodiment of the invention. When the clientprocessor 602 requests IndivScheduleEditor.htm, the fileIndivScheduleEditor.htm and all the included files containing Javascriptare passed from the server processor 604 to the client processor 602.The included files containing PHP script are processed in the serverprocessor 604. The PHP script obtains member task schedule informationfrom the appropriate database and writes Javascript into the web page ofIndivScheduleEditor.htm, in order to pass the information to the clientprocessor 602. The client processor 602 processes the Javascript in thefiles it receives, in order to display the member schedule editor.Interactions between the project member and the member schedule editorare handled by the Javascript, in order to manage, maintain, and updatethe member schedule editor. When the member finishes the session (e.g.,selects “Finish”), member task schedule information in the memberschedule editor is passed from the client processor 602 to the serverprocessor 604 through the interface PostIndivSchedule.php. The serverprocessor 604 processes the information by adding or updating theinformation in the appropriate database. Using the member task scheduleinformation in the database, the server processor 604 automaticallycreates a web page for the member schedule, an example of which isdepicted in FIG. 3B.

Database Schema

FIG. 12 illustrates a schema of database tables used to store and managetask assignment and task schedule information for projects and projectmembers, according to an embodiment of the invention. The tablesmaintain information about the task assignments, the schedule for theproject tasks, and the schedules for each project member. The tables areorganized and linked such that the task assignments, project schedule,and members' schedule are all related.

The TaskAssignment table 1202 stores the project tasks and correspondingsubtasks of a project. The TopLevelProjectTask table 1204 stores theschedule of the project tasks that are in the TaskAssignment table 1202.The Level1MemberTask table 1206 stores the schedule of the member taskswhich are assigned in the TaskAssignment table 1202 and links to theschedule of its corresponding project task in the TopLevelProjectTasktable 1204. These links between the tables enable the automaticaggregation of the member schedules with the project schedule. TheLevel1MemberTask table 1206 also stores the schedule of the member tasksthat are not related to any project task. The LevelXMemberTask tables(where X is 1, 2, 3, and 4) and the MemberTasks table 1208 store andmanage links between the various levels of tasks of a member. The lowerlevel tasks are more detailed tasks of the upper level tasks. Theorganization of these tables maintains the schedule of a member. TheProjectTeam table 1210 contains information about the project members.The project member information for a project member includes (a) a role,to determine access privileges to the various editors, (b) a directoryfor determining the location at which the member schedule web page isstored, and (c) IDs used for determining the identifier of the membertasks at various levels.

The log in process uses information in the ProjectTeam table 1210 todetermine access privileges to a requested editor before displaying theeditor. The task assignment editor uses and/or updates information inthe tables DefaultTasks 1212, TaskAssignment 1202, and MemberTasks 1208.The project schedule editor uses and/or updates information in thetables DefaultTasks 1212, TaskAssignment 1202, TopLevelProjectTask 1204,MemberTasks 1208, and Level1MemberTask 1206. The member schedule editoruses and/or updates information in the tables ProjectTeam 1210,TaskAssignment 1202, MemberTasks 1208, and LevelXMemberTask.

Descriptions of the various tables depicted in FIG. 12, and used in oneembodiment of the project schedule management system described herein,are as follows. However, the number and structure of the tablesdescribed in reference to FIG. 12 may vary from implementation toimplementation.

DefaultTasks table 1212—this table contains the names of tasks that aretypically tasks for all projects. In the context of software developmentprojects, some examples of default tasks are Project Plans,Requirements, and Top Level Design.

ProjectTeam table 1210—this table contains information about projectmembers for a project. sMemberLabel is a 2 to 4 character string used toidentify a project member when displaying the project schedule, whichshows the project tasks and associated member tasks as depicted in FIGS.1A and 1B. In one embodiment, the initials of the project member areused for sMemberLabel. nMemberRole is a number used for indicating therole of the project member. For example, project manager=1, projectleader=2, project administrator=3, and project member=4. The roleindicates who has access to the editors. For example, a project memberwhose role number is 1 has access to all the editors. However, a projectmember whose role number is 4 can only access the member's scheduleeditor. The system can be configured to determine which role numbershave access to the respective editors. sMemberDirectory is used todetermine where the HTML file for the member schedule is stored so thatthe project team can view the member's schedule.

nMemberTaskID is a number assigned to a project member that is used todetermine the ID of a task for that member. According to one embodiment,the nMemberTaskIDs are used as the start ID for a task. Depending uponthe size of the project team, the ID can be MOD 10 (1, 2, . . . , 9) fora small team or MOD 100 (1, 2, . . . , 99) or higher for a large team.The task IDs are increments of the MOD. For example, if thenMemberTaskID of project member ‘test1’ is 1, then the task IDs oftest1's task will be 11, 21, 31, and so forth (or 101, 201, 301, and soforth for a large team). The task ID uniquely identifies a task for aproject member even if the name of some of the tasks are the same. Thetask ID also uniquely identifies a task at all levels. nLevelXMaxTaskIDis a number used to maintain the highest task IDs that have been used sofar for the different level tasks of a project member. These numbersprovide the starting IDs used to determine the task IDs of tasks thatare added in the member's schedule editor session. These values areretrieved and updated after each editor session. Except for the valuesfor nLevelXMaxTaskID, the values for the other entries must be set priorto the beginning of a project.

TaskAssignment table 1202—this table contains information about theproject tasks and its subtasks that are assigned to project members fora project. sTaskName is used for the names of the tasks andnProjectTaskID are the IDs associated with the tasks. The project starttask ID is 0 so that the ID for its tasks will be increments of the MOD(10, 20, 30, . . . for small team). sLevel1TaskName is used for thenames of the subtasks (member tasks) associated with the project tasksand nLevel1TaskID is used for the IDs associated with the subtasks.sMemberLabel is used to identify the project members that are assignedthe subtasks. bIsObsoleted is used to indicate whether the task has beenremoved from the project. Even though a task is deleted from theschedule, information about the task is maintained in the database.Values for sTaskName, nProjectTaskID, sLevel1TaskName, and sMemberLabelcan be added to the TaskAssignment table 1202 through a task assignmenteditor session. The project schedule editor session can add values forsTaskName and nProjectTaskID. Only the member schedule editor sessioncan add values for nLevel1TaskID.

TopLevelProjectTask table 1204—this table contains information about thescheduling of project tasks. sTaskName is used for the names of thetasks and nProjectTaskID is used for the IDs associated with the tasks.planStart and planEnd are used for the expected dates for starting andcompleting the task. actualStart and actualEnd are used for the actualdates in which the task was started and completed. setDate is used forthe date in which the planned dates were set or modified.nScheduleRevNumber is used for the revision number of the task schedule.The latest schedule for a project task corresponds to the highestrevision number. All revisions of a project task are maintained in theTopLevelProjectTask table 1204 to track the changes in the projecttask's schedule. The revision is incremented only when the planned datesare changed in the project schedule editor on different days. All valuesfor nProjectTaskID, sTaskName, dates, and nScheduleRevNumber are addedor updated in the TopLevelProjectTask table 1204 through a projectschedule editor session.

MemberTasks table 1208—this table contains information about all thetasks (tasks at all levels) for all the project members. Associated witheach member (sMemberName) of a project are the task Ids andnLevelXTaskID, which identify all the tasks and their relationship withone another. As with the TaskAssignment table, bIsObsoleted indicates ifthe task has been removed from the project member's schedule.bIsCompleted indicates if the tasks is completed. nLevelXTaskID is usedfor the tasks which are added to the MemberTasks table 1208 and aredetermined from the nLevelXMaxTaskID of the ProjectTeam table 1210 whennew tasks are added in the member's schedule editor session. Values inthe table can be updated or modified (bIsObsoleted or bIsCompleted) fromthe results of any of the three editor sessions (member schedule,project schedule, task assignment). The MemberTasks table 1208 isimportant to provide a link between the lower level task schedules withthe upper level task schedules.

LevelXMemberTask table (e.g., Level1MemberTask table 1206,Level2MemberTask table 1214, Level3MemberTask table 1216)—this tablecontains information about the scheduling of member tasks.sLevelXTaskName is used for the name of the tasks and nLevelXTaskID isused for the IDs associated with the tasks. nLevelXTaskID for the taskswhich are added to the table are determined from the nLevelXMaxTaskID ofthe ProjectTeam table 1210 when new tasks are added in the member'sschedule editor session. planStart and planEnd are used for the expecteddates for starting and completing the task. actualStart and actualEndare used for the actual dates in which the task was started andcompleted. setDate is used for the date in which the planned dates wereset or modified. nScheduleRevNumber is used for the revision number ofthe task schedule. The latest schedule for a member task corresponds tothe highest revision number. All revisions of a member task aremaintained in the table to track the changes in the member task'sschedule. According to one embodiment, the revision is incremented onlywhen the planned dates are changed in the member schedule editor. EachLevelXMemberTask table contains a task ID for upper level tasks (exceptfor level 1, where a task either has a project task as its parent or noparent task). This provides for a task a link to its parent task and itschild tasks. All values for parent task ID, sLevelXTaskName,nLevelXTaskID, dates, and nScheduleRevNumber are added or updated in thetable through the member schedule editor session. Only Level1MemberTasktable 1206 contains the sMemberLabel to provide a link to theTaskAssignment table 1202.

The database shows only lower levels down to level 4. However, thedatabase can be modified to include lower levels for greater details inthe task schedule.

Setting Up a Project Schedule

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the use of the system when theproject schedule is initially set up, according to an embodiment of theinvention. First, the project manager logs on to the task assignmenteditor, block 1302. In the task assignment editor, the manager addsproject tasks, block 1304, and associated subtasks, block 1306, for aproject. The manager also assigns the subtasks to the project members atblock 1306. After the task assignment editor session is finished, thesystem updates the database with information about the project tasks andits subtasks (TaskAssignment table 1202). FIGS. 20 through 22 depict anexample of the task assignment editor session and associated results.

Next, the project manager logs on to the project schedule editor, block1308. In the project schedule editor, the manager sets the planned startdate and planned end date for the project tasks added in the taskassignment editor, block 1310. The manager can add new project tasks tothe project and set the schedule for the project tasks, block 1312.However, the manager cannot set the schedule for the subtasks of theproject task or add subtasks to the project task in the project scheduleeditor. After the editor session is finished, block 1314, the systemupdates the database with information about the schedule of the projecttasks (TopLevelProjectTask 1204 and TaskAssignment 1202 tables). FIGS.23 through 26 depict and example of the project schedule editor sessionand its results.

Finally, each project member logs on to the member's schedule editor,block 1316, and selects a tasks assigned to them in the task assignmenteditor, block 1318. As mentioned, in one embodiment, the schedule editordisplays only uncompleted tasks if the schedule has been previouslycreated. In the member schedule editor, the members set the plannedstart date and planned end dates for the project tasks and subtasks ofproject tasks that were assigned to them, block 1320. The members canadd detailed tasks (lower level tasks) to the subtasks and set theschedule for them. The members can add new tasks unrelated to theproject task and set the schedule for them, block 1322. After the editorsession is done, block 1324, the system updates the database withinformation about the schedules of the subtasks of project tasks for themembers as well as non related project tasks (TaskAssignment 1202,ProjectTeam 1210, MemberTasks 1208, and Level1MemberTask 1206 tables).FIGS. 27 through 41 depict examples of two member's schedule editorsessions and associated results. There are variations in the order ofthe processes for use of the editors, however, some variations may notcorrectly create the schedules. For example, the project members cannotset the schedule for the subtasks of project tasks in the memberschedule editor unless the project manager assigns the subtasks to theproject members in the task assignment editor.

Using the Member Schedule Editor

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example use of the memberschedule editor by a project member to modify the existing schedule,according to an embodiment of the invention. According to oneembodiment, the schedule editor will display only uncompleted tasks ifthe schedule has been previously created. At times, as members progressthrough a project, the members will add tasks, remove tasks, change theschedule of a task, set the results of a task (actual start and enddate), or add more details to a task. A project member logs onto themember schedule editor, block 1402.

In the editor, each row contains schedule information about the task.For the members to modify the task's schedule, the member selects theplanned and/or actual date selections in the row corresponding to thetask, at blocks 1404 and 1406, respectively. If the member is deleting atask, the member selects the “Delete” button and confirms deletion ofthe task, block 1410. If adding tasks, the member can select anothertask, at block 1412, and then (a) select the number of rows to add via apull-down menu field, (b) select the “Add Rows Above” button, (c) enterthe new tasks and (d) enter schedules for the new tasks, block 1414. Ifthe member is adding detailed subtasks associated with an upper leveltask, the member can select another task, block 1416, and then (a)select the “Add Details” button, (b) enter detailed tasks for the upperlevel task, and (c) enter new actual start and/or end dates for thedetailed tasks, block 1418.

Modifying the schedule of a task can occur at any level (upper to lowerlevels). However, detailed tasks cannot be added to the lowest leveltasks. Modifying the schedule of a lower level task may affect theschedule of all associated upper level tasks. All events in the editorto modify the schedule of a task only affect the row corresponding tothe task. To reflect the changes in the schedule for tasks at all levelsfrom the changes in the lower level task schedule, the “Update” buttoninitiates the changes. The rows of tasks are redisplayed with theappropriate modifications. For some of the tasks, the previous scheduleof the tasks are still displayed along with the new schedule. The memberschedule editor manages and maintains schedule information about all thetasks including the changes that have occurred (added task, deletedtasks, planned dates changed, or actual dates updates). After the memberschedule editor session is completed, e.g., by using the “Finish” buttonat block 1422, information about each task is processed and updated inthe database (TaskAssignment 1202, ProjectTeam 1210, MemberTasks 1208,and LevelXMemberTask 1206, 1214, 1216, 1218 tables). If the member doesnot submit the member schedule editor session, all modification of theschedule will not be reflected in the database and will be lost if themember exits the member schedule editor by closing the web browser.

FIG. 15A is a screenshot illustrating a member schedule editor in whichsome of the schedules of the tasks were modified, according to anembodiment of the invention. The tasks were modified by deleting Drafttask of Project Plan and adding detail tasks for review of Patent Cases,which affects the task schedule of review and Patent Cases. FIG. 15B isa screenshot illustrating the member schedule editor that results fromthe “Update” being selected after the modifications in FIG. 15A,according to an embodiment of the invention. Each upper level taskschedule may be affected by the change in the lower level task as shownin FIG. 15B by adding detail tasks to review of Patent Cases. FIGS. 42through 46 depict an example of a member's schedule editor sessioninvolving edits and associated results.

For all the editors that are displayed in the web browser in the clientprocessor 602 (FIG. 6), information about each task is maintained by theeditors. For example, the member schedule editor maintains, for each rowcorresponding to a task: the task name, task ID, set dates, planneddates, actual dates, revision number, level, and parent task ID. Also,the type of modification to a task in the editors is maintained so thatwhen the information about the task is passed to the server processor604 (FIG. 6), the appropriate process is performed to update theinformation about the task in the database 606 (FIG. 6). For example,the types of modifications for tasks in the member schedule editor areNo Change, Added, Deleted, Edited (planned dates changed), and Updated(actual dates are set).

Updating Upper Level Tasks with Lower Level Tasks

For a member's schedule, the update of the upper level task with thelower level tasks occurs within the client processor 602 (FIG. 6) (e.g.,Javascript manages and maintain the schedules of all the tasks in theweb browser). The results of the update are passed to the serverprocessor 604 (FIG. 6) so the results are updated in the database 606(FIG. 6). For a task at any level, all the schedules of its subtasks(one level lower) are used to determine the earliest planned and actualstart date and the latest planned end date. The latest actual end dateis also determined but it is only used if all the subtasks have actualend dates to indicate that the task is completed. If the earliestplanned start date and/or the latest planned end date of the subtasksdiffer from that for the task, then the planned dates of the task can beedited in the editor. When the session is finished, the planned taskschedule is updated in the database 606. A new record is added in thedatabase for this task schedule with the revision number incremented by1 to indicate the latest revision of the task's schedule. If theearliest actual start date of the subtasks differ from that for thetask, then the actual dates of the task can be updated in the editor.When the session is finished, the actual task schedule is also updatedin the database. The existing record with the highest revision numberwill be updated with the actual dates. In the process of updating theupper level tasks with lower level tasks, the client processor 602begins with the lowest level task and works upward to the upper leveltask(s) to update the schedule.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a process of updating upper leveltasks with the lower level tasks, according to an embodiment of theinvention. This flowchart depicts the lowest level to be level 4,however, the process is not limited to use with four levels of tasks. Anon-limiting example of task levels from upper level to lowest level isSystem Design of a software system, Component Design, Package Design,and Class Design.

A level 1 task is obtained from the member schedule editor, block 1602.At decision block 1604, it is determined whether there are any morelevel 1 tasks and, if not, the process ends. If there are more level 1tasks, then a level 2 task that is related to the level 1 task selectedat block 1602 is obtained, block 1606. At decision block 1608, it isdetermined whether there are any more level 2 tasks associated with thelevel 1 task selected at block 1602 and, if not, then the correspondinglevel 1 task is updated with the earliest start dates and latest enddates of level 2 tasks, if the corresponding level 2 tasks exist anddiffer from the level 1 task, block 1610. Control then passes back toblock 1602 to obtain another level 1 task from the editor, if any. Ifthere are more level 2 tasks associated with the level 1 task selectedat block 1602, then a level 3 task that is related to the level 2 taskselected at block 1606 is obtained, block 1612. At decision block 1614,it is determined whether there are any more level 3 tasks associatedwith the level 2 task selected at block 1606 and, if not, then thecorresponding level 2 task is updated with the earliest start dates andlatest end dates of level 3 tasks, if the corresponding level 3 tasksexist and differ from the level 2 task, block 1616. At block 1618, theearliest start date and the latest end dates (planned and actual) forthe level 2 tasks are tracked, and control passes back to block 1606 toobtain another level 2 task corresponding to the level 1 task selectedat block 1602.

If it is determined at block 1614 that there are more level 3 tasks,then a level 4 task that corresponds to the level 3 task selected atblock 1612 is obtained, block 1618. At decision block 1620, it isdetermined whether there are any more level 4 tasks associated with thelevel 3 task selected at block 1612 and, if not, then the correspondinglevel 3 task is updated with the earliest start dates and latest enddates of level 4 tasks, if the corresponding level 4 tasks exist anddiffer from the level 3 task, block 1622. At block 1624, the earlieststart date and the latest end dates (planned and actual) for the level 3tasks are tracked, and control passes back to block 1612 to obtainanother level 3 task corresponding to the level 2 task selected at block1606. If it is determined at block 1620 that there are more level 4tasks, then the earliest start date and the latest end dates (plannedand actual) for the level 4 tasks are tracked, block 1626, and controlpasses back to block 1618 to obtain another level 4 task correspondingto the level 3 task selected at block 1612.

Aggregating the Project Schedule with Assigned Subtasks

For the project schedule, unlike the member schedule, the aggregation ofthe project tasks with its subtasks that are assigned to project membersoccurs on the server processor 604 (FIG. 6). This aggregation occurswhen the project manager selects “Consolidate” or “Finish” in theproject schedule editor (e.g., FIG. 2A). FIG. 17 is a flowchartillustrating a process of aggregating the project task schedule with thesubtasks assigned to various project members, according to an embodimentof the invention.

Information from the tables TopLevelProjectTask 1204, TaskAssignment1202, and Level1MemberTask 1206 (FIG. 12) is used to update the projecttask schedule. Only the schedules of the subtasks with the latest update(highest revision number), which are not deleted from the schedule, areconsidered. The schedules for the subtasks will be used to obtain theearliest start date and latest end dates for all the subtasks. Theearliest start dates and latest end dates of the subtasks will be usedto update the schedule of the project task if they are different. Theplanned project task schedule will be updated in the database, whereby anew record will be added in the TopLevelProjectTask 1204 table for thisproject task with the revision number incremented by 1 to indicate thelatest revision of the project task's schedule. The actual task schedulewill also be updated in the database, whereby the existing record withthe highest revision number will be updated with the actual dates. FIGS.47 through 50 depict an example of a project schedule editor sessioninvolving aggregation of subtasks with project tasks and associatedresults.

The project tasks are obtained from the TopLevelProjectTask 1204 table,block 1702. At decision block 1704, it is determined whether there areany more project tasks and, if not, the process ends. If there are moreproject tasks, then for each project task, the subtasks are obtainedfrom the TaskAssignment 1202 table, block 1706. At decision block 1708,it is determined whether there are any more subtasks. If there are nomore subtasks, then the project task is updated with the earliest startdates and latest end dates of the subtasks if any exist and differ fromthe project task, at block 1710, and control passes back to block 1702to obtain a project task. If it is determined at block 1708 that thereare more subtasks, then the schedule information of the subtaskcorresponding to the latest update (i.e., with the highest revisionnumber) is obtained from the Level1MemberTask 1206 table, block 1712. Atblock 1714, the earliest start date and the latest end dates (plannedand actual) are tracked for the subtasks so far, and control passes backto block 1706 to obtain another subtask related to the project taskobtained at block 1702, if any, from the TaskAssignment 1202 table.

Example Screenshots of a Project Schedule Management System

FIG. 18 is a screenshot illustrating sample entries in the DefaultTasks1212 table (FIG. 12), according to an embodiment of the invention. Thesetasks are displayed in the task assignment editor in the project taskmenu selection, for adding project tasks and assigning associatedsubtasks to project members, or in the project schedule editor, foradding project tasks and setting a planned schedule for the task. Tasksdepicted in display pages similar to FIG. 18, from the DefaultTasks 1212table, are project tasks that are common to many projects.

FIG. 19 is a screenshot illustrating sample entries in the ProjectTeam1210 table (FIG. 12), according to an embodiment of the invention. Thisdisplay page shows the project members of the J17 project. ThenLevelXMaxTaskIDs are used to uniquely identify all the tasks for amember at all levels. Since no tasks have been scheduled by the members,all the nLevelXMaxTaskID are empty (null). Each member has been assigned(a) a task ID that will be used for assigning an ID to the member'stasks for all levels, (b) a member label that will be used in thedisplay of the project schedule and task assignment showing the memberassociated with a task, (c) a member role number that is used todetermine access privileges for the editors, and (d) a member directoryindicating the directory location of at which a web page for themember's schedule is to be generated and stored.

Task Assignment Editor Session

FIG. 20 is a screenshot illustrating a sample task assignment editorsession, according to an embodiment of the invention. Five project taskshave been added to the project: Planning, Requirements, GuidelineDocuments, Top Level Design, and Package Design. Subtasks have beenadded to the project tasks: 2 for Planning, 2 for Requirements, 5 forGuideline Documents, and 3 for Top Level Design. Each subtask isassigned to one of the project members identified in the ProjectTeam1210 table (FIG. 12). The members are identified by a respective memberlabel, as shown in FIG. 19. All information about the tasks and itsassignment are managed within the table. The database will be updatedwith this information once the “Finish” button is selected. All theinformation entered in the editor is passed from the client processor(web browser) to the server processor (web server).

FIG. 21 is a screenshot illustrating information that is stored in theTaskAssignment 1202 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the “Finish”button of the task assignment editor (FIG. 20), according to anembodiment of the invention. The table shows all the subtasks associatedwith the project tasks. The server processor assigns a task ID to eachproject task. However, the task ID for each subtask is not assigned whenthe task assignment editor session is completed. The task assignmenteditor affects no other tables of the database. FIG. 22 is a screenshotillustrating a web page created after the task assignment editor sessiondepicted in FIG. 21, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Project Schedule Editor Session

FIG. 23 is a screenshot illustrating a sample project schedule editorsession, according to an embodiment of the invention. Five project taskshave been selected and scheduled. The project task menu selectionincludes both project tasks added in the task assignment editor sessionand project tasks from the DefaultTasks 1212 table (FIG. 12) of thedatabase (where project tasks added in the task assignment editor arealso from the DefaultTasks in this particular example). The planneddates are set by selecting from the month, day, and year menuselections. The database is updated with this information once the“Finish” button is selected. All the information entered in the projectschedule editor is passed from the client processor (web browser) to theserver processor (web server).

FIG. 24 is a screenshot illustrating information that is stored in theTopLevelProjectTask 1204 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the“Finish” button of the project schedule editor (FIG. 23), according toan embodiment of the invention. The task names and planned dates enteredin the project schedule editor are added to the TopLevelProjectTask 1204table. The date of the editor session in which the schedule was set isassigned to the setDate field of the table. Because, in this example,this is the first time the schedule is set for all the tasks, a revisionnumber (nScheduleRevNumber) of 1 is added to the table.

FIG. 25 is a screenshot illustrating information that is stored in theTaskAssignment 1202 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the “Finish”button of the project schedule editor (FIG. 23), according to anembodiment of the invention. There is no change in the table based onthis particular example, however the database design assigned to “T2”became obsolete, when compared to FIG. 21. If a task was added in theproject schedule editor, then the task would have been added to thistable with the appropriate task ID. FIG. 26 is a screenshot illustratinga web page created after the project schedule editor session depicted inFIG. 23, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Member Schedule Editor Session A First Member Schedule Session

FIG. 27 is a screenshot illustrating a sample member schedule editorsession for a project member (referred to as ‘test1’), according to anembodiment of the invention. The task menu selection in the memberschedule editor displays only the subtasks of the project tasks thatwere assigned to member ‘test1’. The subtasks assigned to the member areobtained from the TaskAssignment 1202 table (FIG. 12). The member canselect “New” to enter the member's own tasks which are not related toany of the project tasks. Since this is the first session for themember, the member adds four tasks: Project Plan, Code Convention,Design Document Guideline, and Component Interface. The member addsdetailed tasks (level 2 tasks) to three of the four tasks: Project Plan,Code Convention, and Design Document Guideline. The member inputs thetask name for each of the detailed tasks and sets the planned dates forthe detailed tasks by selecting from the month, day, and year menuselection. The member sets the planned date for the level 1 task,Component Interfaces. To update all the level 1 tasks with the planneddates of the level 2 tasks in the member schedule editor, the memberselects the “Update” button.

FIG. 28 is a screenshot illustrating a result of the “Update” buttonbeing selected in the context of the example member schedule session ofFIG. 27, according to an embodiment of the invention. The earliestplanned start date and the latest planned end date of the level 2 tasksare displayed in association with the corresponding level 1 task in thedate menu selections. The method of update follows the process describedin the flowchart of FIG. 16. The database is updated with the membertask schedule information once the “Finish” button is selected. All theinformation entered in the member schedule editor is passed from theclient processor (web browser) to the server processor (web server).Also note in FIG. 28 the task selection that the member can choose from.

FIG. 29 is a screenshot illustrating information that is updated in theTaskAssignment 1202 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the “Finish”button of the member schedule editor (FIG. 28), according to anembodiment of the invention. No new record is added to the table.However, in comparison with FIG. 25, the value for nLevel1TaskID for thetasks added by the member in the member schedule editor have beenassigned (13 for Project Plan, 23 for Code Convention, 33 for DesignDocument Guideline, and 43 for Component Interface), according to thetechnique described herein.

FIG. 30 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theMemberTasks 1208 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the “Finish”button of the member schedule editor (FIG. 28), according to anembodiment of the invention. The IDs for the level 1 tasks and itscorresponding level 2 tasks have been added to the table. The tableshows the relation between the tasks through the task IDs. The task IDshave been determined from the values of nMemberTaskID andnLevelXMaxTaskID of the project member in the ProjectTeam 1210 table(FIG. 12).

FIG. 31 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theLevel1MemberTask 1206 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the“Finish” button of the member schedule editor (FIG. 28), according to anembodiment of the invention. The task names and planned dates entered inthe editor are added to the Level1MemberTask 1206 table. The task IDswere assigned to the task using task ID information from the ProjectTeam1210 table (FIG. 12). The value for nProjectTaskID (ID of the parenttask) was originally assigned to the project task through the taskassignment editor session. The date of the editor session in which theschedule was set is assigned to the setDate field of theLevel1MemberTask 1206 table. Because this is the first time the scheduleis set for all the member's tasks, a revision number(nScheduleRevNumber) of 1 is added to the Level1MemberTask 1206 table.

FIG. 32 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theLevel2MemberTask 1214 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the“Finish” button of the member schedule editor (FIG. 28), according to anembodiment of the invention. The task names and planned dates entered inthe editor are added to the Level2MemberTask table 1214. The task IDswere assigned to the task using task ID information from the ProjectTeam1210 table (FIG. 12). The value for nLevel1TaskID (ID of the level 1task) was originally assigned when the level 1 task was added to theLevel1MemberTask table. Even though the task names of the level 2 tasksmay be the same, the nLevel2TaskID uniquely identifies the task and thenLevel1TaskID identifies the parent task of the task. The date of theeditor session in which the schedule was set is assigned to the setDatefield of the table. Because this is the first time the schedule is setfor all the member's level 2 tasks, a revision number(nScheduleRevNumber) of 1 is added to the table.

FIG. 33 is a screenshot illustrating a web page created after a memberschedule editor session (FIG. 28), according to an embodiment of theinvention.

A Second Member Schedule Session

FIG. 34 is a screenshot illustrating a sample member schedule editorsession for the project member manager, according to an embodiment ofthe invention. This example member schedule session involves addingmultiple levels of tasks. The task menu selection in the member scheduleeditor displays only the subtasks of the project tasks assigned to themember (manager). The subtasks assigned to the member are obtained fromthe TaskAssignment 1202 table (FIG. 12) of the database. The member addsthe task Project Initiation and adds detail tasks (level 2 tasks—Draftand Final) to the Project Initiation task. The member inputs the taskname for each of the level 2 tasks and sets the planned dates for thelevel 2 tasks by selecting the month, day, and year menu selection. Themember selects “New” to enter the member's own task, Patent Cases, whichis not related to any of the project tasks. The member adds 1 detailedtask (level 2 task—New Disclosure for Project) to Patent Cases. Then themember adds 3 detailed tasks (level 3 tasks—Drawing, Specifications, andClaims) to New Disclosure for Project. The member inputs the task namefor each of the level 3 tasks and sets the planned dates for the level 3tasks by selecting the month, day, and year menu selection. The memberselects the “Update” button to update the planned dates for all theupper level tasks.

FIG. 35 is a screenshot illustrating a result of the “Update” buttonbeing selected, according to an embodiment of the invention. The methodof update follows the process described in the flowchart of FIG. 16. Thedatabase is updated with the member task schedule information once the“Finish” button is selected. All the information entered in the editoris passed from the client processor (web browser) to the serverprocessor (web server).

FIG. 36 is a screenshot illustrating information that is updated in theTaskAssignment 1202 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the “Finish”button of the member schedule editor (FIG. 35), according to anembodiment of the invention. No new record is added to the table.However, in comparison with FIG. 29, the value for nLevel1TaskID for thetasks added by the member in the member schedule editor have beenassigned (11 for Project Initiation). The new task added, Patent Cases,is not added to this table since it is not a project related task.

FIG. 37 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theMemberTasks 1208 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the “Finish”button of the member schedule editor (FIG. 35), according to anembodiment of the invention. The IDs for the level 1, level 2, and level3 tasks have been added to the table, in comparison with FIG. 35. Thevalue of 21 for nLevel1TaskID corresponds to the new tasks referred toas Patent Cases. The table shows the relation between the tasks throughthe task IDs. The task IDs have been determined from the values ofnMemberTaskID and nLevelXMaxTaskID of the project member in theProjectTeam 1210 table (FIG. 12).

FIG. 38 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theLevel1MemberTask 1206 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the“Finish” button of the member schedule editor (FIG. 35), according to anembodiment of the invention. The task names and planned dates entered inthe member schedule editor are added to the table, in comparison withFIG. 31. The task IDs were assigned to the task using task IDinformation from the ProjectTeam 1210 table (FIG. 12). The value fornProjectTaskID (ID of the parent task) was originally assigned to theproject task through the task assignment editor session. A value of 0 isused for nProjectTaskID when the added task is not related to a projecttask. The date of the editor session in which the schedule was set isassigned to the setDate field of the Level1MemberTask 1206 table. Sincethis is the first time the schedule is set for all the member's tasks, arevision number of 1 is added to the Level1MemberTask 1206 table.

FIG. 39 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theLevel2MemberTask 1214 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the“Finish” button of the member schedule editor (FIG. 35), according to anembodiment of the invention. The task names and planned dates entered inthe member schedule editor are added to the Level2MemberTask 1214 table,in comparison with FIG. 32. The task IDs were assigned to the task usingtask ID information from the ProjectTeam 1210 table (FIG. 12). The valuefor nLevel1TaskID (ID of the level 1 task) was originally assigned whenthe level 1 task was added to the Level1MemberTask 1206 table (FIG. 12).The date of the member schedule editor session in which the schedule wasset is assigned to the setDate field of the Level2MemberTask 1214 table.Because this is the first time the schedule is set for all the member'slevel 2 tasks, a revision number of 1 is added to the table.

FIG. 40 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theLevel3MemberTask 1216 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the“Finish” button of the member schedule editor (FIG. 35), according to anembodiment of the invention. The task names and planned dates entered inthe member schedule editor are added to the Level3MemberTask 1216 table.The task IDs were assigned to the task using task ID information fromthe ProjectTeam 1210 table (FIG. 12). The value for nLevel2TaskID (ID ofthe level 2 task) was originally assigned when the level 2 task wasadded to the Level2MemberTask 1214 table (FIG. 12). The date of themember schedule editor session in which the schedule was set is assignedto the setDate field of the Level3MemberTask 1216 table. Because this isthe first time the schedule is set for all the member's level 3 tasks, arevision number of 1 is added to the Level3MemberTask 1216 table.

FIG. 41 is a screenshot illustrating a web page created after manager'smember schedule editor (FIG. 35) session, according to an embodiment ofthe invention. Note that the row color for the non project task (PatentCase) differs from that of the project task (Project Initiation) foreasy recognition.

FIG. 42 is a screenshot illustrating entries in the ProjectTeam 1210table (FIG. 12) after two member schedule editor sessions (described inreference to FIGS. 27 and 34), according to an embodiment of theinvention. The nLevelXMaxTaskID are updated, in comparison with FIG. 19,with the highest task IDs used so far for the current members. The onedigit entry (1 and 3) indicates that no task scheduling has beenassigned at the particular level of task yet.

A Third Member Schedule Session

FIG. 43 is a screenshot illustrating a sample member schedule editorsession with the project member manager, according to an embodiment ofthe invention. The member's schedule was created in a previous sessionso the member schedule editor shows the existing tasks with the planneddates. The member schedule editor also shows the date in which theschedule of the tasks was previously set (or modified). In this memberschedule editor session, the member changes the planned dates of thelevel 2 tasks of Project Initiation—Draft and Final. The member updatesthe actual start date of the level 2 task of Project Initiation—Draft.The member adds a new task, Architecture, which is associated with theproject task Top Level Design, and sets the planned dates for theArchitecture task. The member selects the “Update” button to update theupper level tasks with the changes in the lower level tasks (only level1 and 2 tasks of Project Initiation are affected). The member scheduleeditor is redisplayed with the updates. The previous set dates aredisplayed with strike through text, with the current date displayedbelow it as the new set date if there is any change in the planned datesof the tasks. The planned dates are displayed with strike through textwith the new planned date displayed below it in the month, day, and yearmenu selection. The new actual dates are in the month, day, and yearmenu selection. The database is updated with the member task scheduleinformation once the “Finish” button is selected. All the informationentered in the member schedule editor is passed from the clientprocessor (web browser) to the server processor (web server).

FIG. 44 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theLevel1MemberTask 1206 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the“Finish” button of the member schedule editor (FIG. 43), according to anembodiment of the invention. Comparison with FIG. 38 shows changes.Since there has been a change in the planned dates for the task ProjectInitiation, the task names and new planned dates in the member scheduleeditor are added to the Level1MemberTask 1206 table with a revisionnumber of 2 indicating that this is the second scheduling of the task.The same task ID and parent task ID are used for this task, with thedate of member schedule editor session as the new value for the setDatefield of the Level1MemberTask 1206 table. If the date of the memberschedule editor session was the same as the value of the setDate for thehighest revision of the task, a new record for the task would not havebeen added with a higher revision number. Rather, the record for thetask would have been modified with the changes in the planned dates. Theactual dates are modified for the task with the highest revision in thisLevel1MemberTask 1206 table with the actual dates from the memberschedule editor. Added to this Level1MemberTask 1206 table is the addedtasks Architecture with project task ID originally set in theTaskAssignment 1202 table (FIG. 12) as shown in FIG. 36 and the task IDdetermined from the task ID information in the ProjectTeam 1210 table(FIG. 12) as shown in FIG. 42.

FIG. 45 is a screenshot illustrating information that is added to theLevel2MemberTask 1214 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the“Finish” button of the member schedule editor (FIG. 43), according to anembodiment of the invention. Comparison with FIG. 39 shows changes.Because there has been a change in the planned dates for the level 2tasks, Draft and Final, of the level 1 task Project Initiation, the tasknames and new planned dates in the member schedule editor are added tothe Level2MemberTask 1214 table with a revision number of 2 indicatingthat this is the second scheduling of the tasks. The same task IDs andparent task IDs are used for these tasks, with the date of the memberschedule editor session as the new value for the setDate field of theLevel2MemberTask 1214 table. The actual dates are modified for the taskwith the highest revision in this Level2MemberTask 1214 table with theactual dates from the member schedule editor.

Although not shown, the tables ProjectTeam1210, TaskAssignment 1202, andMemberTasks 1208 (FIG. 12) have been affected by the member scheduleeditor session. For the table ProjectTeam 1210, the nLevel1MaxTaskID formanager was updated to assign a task ID to task Architecture. For thetable TaskAssignment 1202, the nLevel1TaskID for the sLevel1TaskName ofArchitecture was set with the new task ID that was assigned to it. Forthe table MemberTasks 1208, a new record was added for task Architecturewith nLevel1TaskID set.

FIG. 46 is a screenshot illustrating a web page created after amanager's member schedule editor session, according to an embodiment ofthe invention. The task schedule shows the history of the changes to thescheduling of the task. Previous schedules of a task are displayed instrike through text.

Project Schedule Editor Session

FIG. 47 is a screenshot illustrating another sample of a session withthe project schedule editor, according to an embodiment of theinvention. The project schedule editor shows the five tasks added andscheduled previously from the task assignment editor and projectschedule editor. Also shown in the project schedule editor are theschedules of the subtasks of the project tasks. The subtask schedulesare displayed below corresponding project task schedules. The projectschedule editor shows the members (member label) that were assigned tothose subtasks. The project schedule editor shows the date in which theschedule of the project tasks and subtasks were previously set ormodified. The dates of the subtasks have not yet been aggregated withthe dates of the project task. The earliest planned start dates andlatest planned end dates of the subtasks do not align with the planneddates of the project task.

To aggregate the schedule of the subtasks with the project tasks, themember selects either the “Consolidate” button or the “Finish” button inthe project schedule editor. Both will initiate the aggregation of thesubtask schedule with the project schedule in the server processor 604(FIG. 6). The method of aggregation follows the process described in theflowchart of FIG. 17. The “Consolidate” button causes the projectschedule editor to be redisplayed with the aggregated schedule. FIG. 48is a screenshot illustrating a project schedule editor redisplayed afterthe member selects the “Consolidate” button, according to an embodimentof the invention. All the project task dates are aligned with thesubtask dates. Although no project tasks have been added or modified,such changes would have been added or updated in the database when the“Consolidate” button or the “Finish” button was selected.

FIG. 49 is a screenshot illustrating information that is stored in theTopLevelProjectTask 1204 table (FIG. 12) when the member selects the“Consolidate” and “Finish” buttons of the project schedule editor (FIGS.47 and 48), according to an embodiment of the invention. After theaggregation of the subtasks with the project tasks using the processdescribed in the flowchart of FIG. 17, the planned dates of the projecttasks may have changed. If the planned dates have changed and if the setdate of the latest revision of the project task is the same as the dateof the project schedule editor session, then the record for the taskwill be updated with the planned dates for the latest revision of thetask. If the set dates are not the same, then a new record for the taskis added to the TopLevelProjectTask 1204 table with an incrementedrevision number (2, in this example, for Planning and Top Level Design)and the new planned dates. The actual dates are updated in theTopLevelProjectTask 1204 table for the project task with the highestrevision number. Since no new tasks have been added or scheduled by theproject schedule editor session, no other tables of the database areaffected.

FIG. 50 is a screenshot illustrating a web page created after a projectschedule editor session, according to an embodiment of the invention.The project schedule shows the history of the changes to the schedulingof the project tasks and subtasks. Previous schedules of a task aredisplayed in strike through text.

Assigning and Setting Schedules for Project Tasks by Project Manager

FIG. 51 is a flowchart illustrating example behavior of the system asthe project manager assigns tasks to a project member and sets theschedule for project tasks, according to an embodiment of the invention.The manager logs onto the task assignment editor in a web browser and,after the web server validates and authenticates the login information,the web server passes the web page for the task assignment editor to thebrowser for display, block 5102. The manager performs various actionswith the task assignment editor to add and assign tasks, block 5104. Themanager submits all the information about task assignment to the webserver when the manager selects the “Finish” button, block 5106. The webserver obtains all the information from the task assignment editor aboutadding of project tasks and assignment of subtasks, and posts theinformation to the database, block 5108. The web server creates a webpage of the task assignment editor for project members, block 5110,which can be viewed in the web browser. Examples of the task assignmenteditor session, the posting of the information in the database, and theweb page created are shown in FIGS. 20 through 22.

The manager logs onto the project schedule editor in a web browser and,after the web server validates and authenticates the login information,the web server passes the web page for the project schedule editor tothe browser for display, block 5112. The manager performs variousactions on the editor to add and schedule project tasks, block 5114. Themanager submits all the information about the task schedule to the webserver when the manager selects the “Finish” button, block 5116. The webserver obtains all the information from the project schedule editorabout adding of project tasks and associated schedules, and posts theinformation to the database, block 5118. The web server creates a webpage for the project schedule, block 5120, which can be viewed in theweb browser. Examples of the project schedule editor session, theposting of the information in the database, and the web page created areshown in FIGS. 23 through 26.

Setting Schedules for Project Tasks by Project Members

FIG. 52 is a flowchart illustrating example behavior of the system asthe project members set their own schedules for tasks and subtasks,according to an embodiment of the invention. The member logs onto themember schedule editor from a web browser, block 5202. After the webserver validates and authenticates the login information, the web serverpasses the web page for the member schedule editor to the browser fordisplay. The member performs various actions with the member scheduleeditor to add and schedule tasks of any level, block 5204. The membersubmits all the information about task schedule to the web server whenthe member selects the “Finish” button, block 5206. The web serverobtains all the information from the member schedule editor about addingof tasks and associated schedules, and posts the information to thedatabase, block 5208. The web server creates a web page for the member'sschedule, block 5210, which can be viewed in the web browser. Examplesof project schedule editor sessions, the posting of the information inthe database, and the web page created are shown in FIGS. 27 through 41.

The member's schedule can be modified or updated by logging again to themember schedule editor in the web browser, block 5212. The member canschedule tasks at any level, edit the planned dates of existing tasks,and update the results of existing tasks, block 5214. The member submitsall the information about task schedule to the web server when themember selects the “Finish” button, block 5216. The web server obtainsall the information from the member schedule editor about adding,editing, or updating of tasks and associated schedules, and posts theinformation in the database, block 5218. The web server creates anupdated web page for the member's schedule, block 5220, which can beviewed later in the web browser. Examples of project schedule editorsessions, the posting of the information in the database, and the webpage created are shown in FIGS. 43 through 46.

Consolidating Member Schedules with the Project Schedule

FIG. 53 is a flowchart illustrating behavior of the system as theproject manager consolidates members' schedules with the projectschedule, according to an embodiment of the invention. The manager logsonto the project schedule editor in a web browser and, after the webserver validates and authenticates the login information, the web serverpasses the web page for the editor to the browser for display, block5302. The manager performs various actions on the editor to add andschedule project tasks, block 5304. The manager submits all theinformation about task schedule to the web server when the managerselects the “Consolidate” button, block 5306. The web server obtains allthe information from the project schedule editor about the adding ofproject tasks and associated schedules, and posts the information to thedatabase, block 5308.

At block 5310, the web server aggregates all the members' schedule withthe project schedule using the process described in FIG. 17. The webserver creates a web page for the project schedule containing thesubtask schedules, block 5312, which can be viewed later in the webbrowser. The web server passes the web page for the project scheduleeditor back to the browser for display with updated information.Examples of the project schedule editor session, the posting of theinformation in the database, the redisplay of the editor in the webbrowser, and the web page created are shown in FIGS. 47 through 49.

Assigning Task Identifiers to Tasks

FIG. 54 is a flowchart illustrating a process of assigning task IDs totasks of a project member at various levels, according to an embodimentof the invention. The ProjectTeam 1210 table (FIG. 12) containsinformation about the task IDs that will be assigned to tasks for eachproject member of a project. FIGS. 19 and 42 show examples of theProjectTeam 1210 table. The value of nMemberTaskID in the ProjectTeam1210 table, in conjunction with the process of assigning task IDsillustrated in FIG. 54, prevent a task ID from being assigned to morethan one task in a level when more than one member schedule editorsession is occurring at one time. The table and process will guaranteethat a task at any level is uniquely identified by the task ID.

The process in the flowchart of FIG. 54 is performed by the serverprocessor (web server) after a project member completes a memberschedule editor session. The server processor obtains the highestexisting task ID for each affected task level from the ProjectTeam 1210table, for the project member for the project number, block 5402. If anyof the level task IDs are zero (or null), then the highest existing taskID for the level is set to the value of nMemberTaskID, block 5404. Eachproject member for a project number is assigned a unique member task IDat the beginning of the project before the schedules are created.Depending upon the size of the project team, the number can be MOD 10 ifthe team is small or MOD 100 or 1000 if the team is large. Task IDs willbe increments of the MOD (10 for small team and 100 or 1000 for largeteam). If the editor contains any newly added task, a task ID isassigned to the task, block 5406. Depending on the level of the task,the highest task ID for that level is incremented by the MOD number andthen assigned to the task. The highest task IDs for all levels ismaintained as new tasks are added.

Once all the tasks have been posted in the database, the highest taskIDs for each level is updated (if changed) in the ProjectTeam 1210table, block 5408, for the project member for the project number. As anexample, the values of the ProjectTeam 1210 table in FIG. 42 are usedfor adding new tasks for member ‘test1’. New tasks are added to level 2and 3 in the member schedule editor session of ‘test1’. For the newlevel 2 task, use the highest task ID of 63, add 10 to make the highesttask ID 73, and assign the highest task ID of 73 to the level 2 task.For the new level 3 task, use the highest task ID of 3, add 10 to makethe highest task ID 13, and assign the highest task ID of 13 to thelevel 3 task. When all the task information from the editor session hasbeen posted, update the ProjectTeam table of the database so the valueof nLevel2MaxTaskID is 73 and nLevel3MaxTaskID is 13 for test1.

Organization and Indexing of Task Information

FIG. 55 is a screenshot illustrating the organization of taskinformation in the member schedule editor, according to an embodiment ofthe invention. This screenshot depicts a Document Object Model (DOM)representation of the member schedule editor displayed in the web page.The information is maintained in the web browser. According to oneembodiment, the web page for the editor is an HTML form containing atable, where each row corresponds to a scheduled task. The form allowsinformation to be entered into the web page and allows information to bepassed to a web server for processing. Javascript allows the form to becreated, maintained, and managed. Javascript handles the events(selecting an item from the menu, selecting a checkbox, or selecting abutton) that occur in the form. Each row in the table for the memberschedule editor is provided an ID value containing an index (labeled“xxx”), which is unique for each row. All elements in the row use thisunique index to store and manage information about a task. Javascriptwill use the ID value containing the unique index to access or setinformation about tasks and to control what is displayed in the row inthe editor.

The form contains hidden elements that store information about a taskwithout displaying the information in the member schedule editor. Thehidden elements are useful for obtaining and setting information about atask, such as the task ID, task level, action performed on task (i.e.,added, deleted, edited planned date), parent task ID, or number ofdetailed tasks. All the information in the form, displayed or hidden, ispassed to the web server for processing information about each task. TheDOM representation of the member schedule editor allows access andcontrol of the display of the editor by Javascript. FIG. 57 shows howthe index used in the ID for various elements of the editor is created.The task assignment editor and project schedule editor follow a similarDOM representation as the member schedule editor, whereby the IDs forelements use a unique index for its rows. The editor may contain moreinformation than is shown in FIG. 55.

FIG. 56 is a screenshot illustrating an example member schedule editorshowing the various components and the index assigned to each row,according to an embodiment of the invention. The index is unique foreach row. The index contains a sequence of numbers separated by anunderscore ‘_’. The lower the task level, the more sequence number theindex contains.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart illustrating how the index is created for eachrow of a task whether the editor is displayed the first time or newtasks at any level are added in the editor, according to an embodimentof the invention. The index starts with an initial sequence ofcharacters, symbols, or numbers. From FIG. 56, the initial sequence is“R_(—)1”. This sequence can be any sequence that will be used in theindex for all rows. In the process of FIG. 57, (a) the initial sequenceis set, (b) the sequence separator is set, (c) the level 1 sequencenumber is initially set to 1 to handle tasks that already exist in themember's schedule, and (d) another level 1 sequence number is set to10000 to handle tasks that may be added to the member's schedule in theeditor session, block 5702. Any other large number can be used in placeof 10000. The level 1 sequence number will provide an index todistinguish existing scheduled tasks from newly added tasks. If the taskis a level 1 task at block 5704, and is an existing task at block 5706,then create an index using the initial sequence, the sequence separator,and the level 1 sequence number for existing task, and increment thelevel 1 sequence number by 1, block 5708. If the task is a level 1 taskat block 5704, and is a newly added task at block 5706, then create anindex using the initial sequence for added task, the sequence separator,and the level 1 sequence number for added task and increment the level 1sequence number by 1, block 5710.

The index created will be used in the ID for all elements in the rowthat contain information about the task, as shown in FIG. 55. If thetask is a lower level task at block 5704, then determine the index ofits parent task and determine the number of detailed tasks the parenttasks has, block 5712. This information can be obtained from theelements in the row corresponding to the parent task. Increment thenumber of detailed tasks the parent task has by 1 and create the indexusing the index of the parent task, the sequence separator, and thenumber of detailed tasks of the parent task, block 5714. The indexcreated will be used in the ID for all elements in the row correspondingto the lower level task, block 5716. If there are any more tasks todisplay in the editor, at block 5718, then return to block 5704 torepeat the processes (except for steps of setting the initial sequences)for each task row to be displayed in the editor.

The indexing of the rows corresponding to tasks is such that theJavascript can manage and maintain the task information. The indexing isused in the ID and names of various elements of the form so that theJavascript and PHP after POST can access and manipulate their attributesand values. Javascript uses the elements to maintain information about atask and to control the display of the elements in the editor. Whereasthe web browser (client Processor) uses the indexing for maintaining andmanaging the task information and editor, the web server (serverProcessor) uses the indexing to access the information that is passedfrom the web browser to the web server. According to one embodiment, allform elements of the editor are passed to the web server as name-valuepairs. The name consists of the index along with a string indicatingwhat information the value represents. As an example, the name of a formhidden element in FIG. 56 for the level 3 task “Claims” is“R_(—)1_(—)2_(—)1_(—)3_TaskName” that has a value corresponding to thename of the task, which is “Claims”. The sequence following R_(—)1indicates that this task is the third level 3 task of the first level 2task of the second level 1 task. The web server uses the name containingthe index along with the string to access the value that containsinformation about the task. The web server follows a similar sequence asdescribed in the flowchart of FIG. 57 to create the index, and then thenames, to obtain information about each task at any level from the formelements.

Hardware Overview

FIG. 58 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system 5800 uponwhich embodiments of the invention can be implemented. Computer system5800 additionally illustrates a non-limiting example of a systemconfiguration of the workstation 102 (FIG. 1) and the web server 104(FIG. 1). Computer system 5800 includes a bus 5802 or othercommunication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor5804 coupled with bus 5802 for processing information. Computer system5800 also includes a main memory 5806, such as a random access memory(RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to bus 5802 for storinginformation and instructions to be executed by processor 5804. Mainmemory 5806 also may be used for storing temporary variables or otherintermediate information during execution of instructions to be executedby processor 5804. Computer system 5800 further includes a read onlymemory (ROM) 5808 or other static storage device coupled to bus 5802 forstoring static information and instructions for processor 5804. Astorage device 5810, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, ormagneto-optical disk, is provided and coupled to bus 5802 for storinginformation and instructions. 101901 Computer system 5800 may be coupledvia bus 5802 to a display 5812, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or aliquid crystal display (LCD), for displaying information to a computeruser. An input device 5814, including alphanumeric and other keys, iscoupled to bus 5802 for communicating information and command selectionsto processor 5804. Another type of user input device is cursor control5816, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys forcommunicating direction information and command selections to processor5804 and for controlling cursor movement on display 5812. This inputdevice typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis(e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specifypositions in a plane.

The invention is related to the use of computer system 5800 forimplementing the techniques described herein. According to oneembodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computersystem 5800 in response to processor 5804 executing one or moresequences of one or more instructions contained in main memory 5806.Such instructions may be read into main memory 5806 from anothercomputer-readable medium, such as storage device 5810. Execution of thesequences of instructions contained in main memory 5806 causes processor5804 to perform the process steps described herein. In alternativeembodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions to implement the invention. Thus,embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combinationof hardware circuitry and software.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing instructions to processor 5804 forexecution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limitedto, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Examplesof non-volatile media include, without limitation, optical, magneticdisks, or magneto-optical disks, such as storage device 5810. Volatilemedia includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 5806. Transmissionmedia includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, includingthe wires that comprise bus 5802. Transmission media can also take theform of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated duringradio-wave and infra-red data communications.

Common forms of computer-readable media include, without limitation, afloppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any othermagnetic medium; a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical or magneto-opticalmedium; punchcards, papertape, any other physical medium with patternsof holes; a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chipor cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any othermedium from which a computer can read.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to processor 5804 forexecution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on amagnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load theinstructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over atelephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system 5800 canreceive the data on the telephone line and use an infra-red transmitterto convert the data to an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector canreceive the data carried in the infra-red signal and appropriatecircuitry can place the data on bus 5802. Bus 5802 carries the data tomain memory 5806, from which processor 5804 retrieves and executes theinstructions. The instructions received by main memory 5806 mayoptionally be stored on storage device 5810 either before or afterexecution by processor 5804.

Computer system 5800 also includes a communication interface 5818coupled to bus 5802. Communication interface 5818 provides a two-waydata communication coupling to a network link 5820 that is connected toa local network 5822. For example, communication interface 5818 may bean integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a modem to providea data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephoneline. As another example, communication interface 5818 may be a localarea network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to acompatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any suchimplementation, communication interface 5818 sends and receiveselectrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital datastreams representing various types of information.

Network link 5820 typically provides data communication through one ormore networks to other data devices. For example, network link 5820 mayprovide a connection through local network 5822 to a host computer 5824or to data equipment operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP)5826. ISP 5826 in turn provides data communication services through theworld wide packet data communication network now commonly referred to asthe “Internet” 5828. Local network 5822 and Internet 5828 both useelectrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital datastreams. The signals through the various networks and the signals onnetwork link 5820 and through communication interface 5818, which carrythe digital data to and from computer system 5800, are exemplary formsof carrier waves transporting the information.

Computer system 5800 can send messages and receive data, includingprogram code, through the network(s), network link 5820 andcommunication interface 5818. In the Internet example, a server 5830might transmit a requested code for an application program throughInternet 5828, ISP 5826, local network 5822 and communication interface5818.

The received code may be executed by processor 5804 as it is received,and/or stored in storage device 5810, or other non-volatile storage forlater execution. In this manner, computer system 5800 may obtainapplication code in the form of a carrier wave.

Extensions and Alternatives

Alternative embodiments of the invention are described throughout theforegoing description, and in locations that best facilitateunderstanding the context of the embodiments. Furthermore, the inventionhas been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. Itwill, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may bemade thereto without departing from the broader scope of embodiments ofthe invention. Therefore, the specification and drawings are,accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense.

In addition, in this description certain process steps are set forth ina particular order, and alphabetic and alphanumeric labels may be usedto identify certain steps. Unless specifically stated in thedescription, embodiments of the invention are not necessarily limited toany particular order of carrying out such steps. In particular, thelabels are used merely for convenient identification of steps, and arenot intended to specify or require a particular order of carrying outsuch steps.

1. A computer-implemented method for managing a project schedule using adatabase, the method comprising: storing in a project task databasetable, via a project schedule editor session, planned schedule dates forproject tasks; storing in a first-level member task database table froma set of hierarchically-related member task database tables, via amember schedule editor session being used by a particular projectmember, planned schedule dates for a subtask of a project task, whereinthe subtask is assigned to the particular project member; storing in thefirst-level member task database table, via a member schedule editorsession being used by the particular project member, planned scheduledates for a non-project task associated with the particular projectmember; wherein the project task database table is linked to plannedschedule dates contained in the first-level member task database tableand wherein each member task database table other than the lowest levelmember task database table is linked to planned schedule dates containedin a respective next-lower-level member task database table; retrievingfrom the first-level member task database table and displaying in amember schedule web page, planned schedule dates for the subtask and forthe non-project task; and displaying a project schedule for the projectin a project schedule web page without displaying the non-project task.2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: receiving,via the member schedule editor session, a request to update scheduledates for subtasks assigned to the particular project member; and inresponse to the request to update, displaying a planned start date foreach subtask as the earliest planned start date of all lower levelsubtasks of the subtask and displaying a planned end date for eachsubtask as the latest planned end date of all the lower level subtasksof the subtask
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the stepsof: receiving, via the member schedule editor session, a request tofinish the member schedule editor session; and in response to therequest to finish, storing the planned start dates and the planned enddates for each level of subtask in a corresponding member task table. 4.The method of claim 3, wherein the steps of receiving and displaying areperformed by a client processor, and wherein the steps of storing areperformed by a server processor.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of: receiving, via the project schedule editorsession, a request to consolidate schedule dates for subtasks of projecttasks; in response to the request to consolidate, retrieving, from thefirst-level member task table, schedule dates for subtasks of projecttasks; aggregating the retrieved schedule dates, by setting a plannedstart date for each project task as the earliest planned start date,from the hierarchically-related member task tables, for all levels ofsubtasks of the project task, and setting a planned end date for eachproject task as the latest planned end date, from thehierarchically-related member task tables, for all levels of thesubtasks of the project task; storing the planned start dates and theplanned end dates for each project task in the project task table; anddisplaying the project schedule in the project schedule web page,wherein the project schedule includes the planned start dates and theplanned end dates for each project task from the project task table. 6.The method of claim 5, wherein the step of aggregating is performed by aserver processor.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the stepof: displaying a member schedule for the particular project member in amember schedule web page, wherein the member schedule includes thenon-project task.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step ofdisplaying a member schedule includes displaying the non-project taskwith a visual indication that indicates that the task is a non-projecttask.
 9. A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or moresequences of instructions which, when executed by one or moreprocessors, causes the one or more processors to perform the methodrecited in claim
 1. 10. A computer-readable storage medium carrying oneor more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or moreprocessors, causes the one or more processors to perform the methodrecited in claim
 2. 11. A computer-readable storage medium carrying oneor more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or moreprocessors, causes the one or more processors to perform the methodrecited in claim
 3. 12. A computer-readable storage medium carrying oneor more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or moreprocessors, causes the one or more processors to perform the methodrecited in claim
 4. 13. A computer-readable storage medium carrying oneor more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or moreprocessors, causes the one or more processors to perform the methodrecited in claim
 5. 14. A computer-readable storage medium carrying oneor more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or moreprocessors, causes the one or more processors to perform the methodrecited in claim
 6. 15. A computer-readable storage medium carrying oneor more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or moreprocessors, causes the one or more processors to perform the methodrecited in claim
 7. 16. A computer-readable storage medium carrying oneor more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or moreprocessors, causes the one or more processors to perform the methodrecited in claim 8.